Suzanne Rhodes Bogardus

It is with deep sorrow that the Bogardus family announces the death of Mrs. Suzanne Bogardus, age 83. 

Mrs. Bogardus entered into rest on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The Directors of Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home & Crematory are caring for the family.

 A funeral service to honor her life will be held at 2 o'clock on Friday, January 9, 2026, in The Chapel of Brown-Pennongton-Atkins Funeral Home, with The Rev. Todd Davis officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A graveside funeral service at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Meadville, PA, will be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her honor to the charity of one's choice. 

Mrs. Bogardus was born on Wednesday, February 4, 1942, in Meadville, PA. She is the daughter of the late Robert M. "Red" Rhodes and the late Mildred Brutcher Rhodes. 

Suzanne was a graduate of Meadville High School, Class of 1961, and worked for Talon, Inc. in Meadville before serving as Secretary at Stone Methodist Church. On October 12, 1963, she married Bruce L. Bogardus, with whom she shared a loving and devoted marriage.

 Suzanne lived in Meadville, Pennsylvania; Stanley, North Carolina; and Hartsville, South Carolina. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who found her greatest joy in supporting her family — especially her grandchildren, whose activities she followed faithfully, regardless of distance. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, reading, and traveling. Despite significant hearing loss following a stroke in 2018, Suzanne continued to explore the world and remained engaged in life.

 In her early years, she was actively involved with St. Luke Church, serving in many capacities and later participating through online services. Suzanne was known for her kindness, thoughtfulness, and unwavering belief in the good in people. She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her handwritten cards, and her enduring love for family and friends. 

She is survived by her husband, Bruce Bogardus; her daughters, Lynne Bogardus Welch (Rex) of Franklin, Tennessee, and Laurie Bogardus Melton (Bill) of Stanley, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Jacob Melton (Abby), Kathleen Melton Furr (Alex), Robert Harrison Welch, and James Tanner Welch; and her great-granddaughter, Eloise Furr. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Nancy Rhodes.

Local Arrangements have been entrusted to ROSE AND WAID FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, INC., 581 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE PA  16335.

Memories can be shared at www.rosefh.com.